as in disciplinarians
a person who believes that something is very important and should be done or followed all the time
Her father was a stickler about arriving on time.
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Recent Examples of sticklers
As carry-on only travelers, Ryan and I are sticklers about efficient packing.
—
Kristine Thomason, Travel + Leisure, 23 Aug. 2025
Regardless of what legal-ethics sticklers might think of its business model, the 156-person startup has been growing quickly.
—Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
The people charged with inspecting it pre-rental aren’t always sticklers for detail, and sometimes miss large scratches and dings.
—Matt Meltzer, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Jan. 2024
Kristine Thomason, Travel + Leisure, 23 Aug. 2025
Regardless of what legal-ethics sticklers might think of its business model, the 156-person startup has been growing quickly.
—Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
The people charged with inspecting it pre-rental aren’t always sticklers for detail, and sometimes miss large scratches and dings.
—Matt Meltzer, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Jan. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sticklers
Noun
-
The DJs and producers are not purists overall.—
Katie Bain,
Billboard,
29 Jan. 2026
-
What with its Charli xcx soundtrack and historically inaccurate latex costumes, Emily Brontë purists may opt to swerve a Valentine’s weekend viewing slot.—
Olivia Allen,
Vogue,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Work is work, and there’s writerly reward, too, in daily encounters with a diverse range of taskmasters across all social groups.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sticklers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sticklers. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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